Window cleaning machine



Se t. 5, 1939. F. w. BINGELL 2,

WINDOW CLEANING MACHINE I Filed lay 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l B E'FFDINA/YD WEI/WELL ATTORNEYS Sept. 5, 1939. F. w. BINGELL WINDOW CLEANING MACHINE Filed llay 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ERD/NA/yp WB/WGELL B j 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE amszr wmnow crasnmc momma Ferdinand w. am n, Cleveland. Ohio Application May as, me, Serial No. me-

Ciaims.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved machine for cleaning the outside surfaces of windows.

A further object is to provide an outside-win s dow-surface cleaning machine which will be very light in construction, capable of being economically manufactured, and capable of being easily handled by persons of lessthan average strength and yet effectively operated from a point inside the window to rapidly clean the entire outer surface of the window, irrespective of its height, within le limits.

Prior machines of the above nature have been provided with mast arrangements to be projected 18 outside the window, and another object is to provide for more effectively controlling the podtion ofsuchmasttoexertthenecessarypressureon the'window surface for cleaning or drying the same.

Another object is to provide a power driven outside-window-surface cleaning machine capable of vertically and horizontally traversingthe entire window surface to be cleaned.

- Still another object is to provide a novel ver- 5 tical adjustment for the mast portion of an outside-window-surface cleaning machine.

Another object is to provide a cleaning and drying implement for a machine of the class shown, which implement may be interchangeably adjusted, or mounted, properly to effect the desired operation.

Other objects and the various novel character istics will become apparent from the following description.

Referringbrieilytothedrawingam. Ilsa central sectional view of the machine in one form. Fig.2isabottomplanviewofthebaseofthe machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the cleaninghead; Fig. 4 is a perspective view, showing another form of machine,

' which, as illustrated, has a motor driven cleaning and/or drying mechanism thereon;- Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a drying pad adapted for attachment to a brush or other cleaning implement on the machine, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified cleaning implement.

' Referring further to the drawings, and first toFlgs. 1to3,atwo-partbaseisshownat i, having an inner section 2 and an outer section 3.

The base is shown as supported on the window ledge L and controlled by the operator in a manner to be hereinafter described, .so as properly to position the mast, generally indicated at I and which rises from the base part I outside the window W.

The mast may comprise one or more sections of tubing. As shown, there is a single lower non-circular tubing section 0, on which another section of tubing I is adapted to be adjusted up and down and locked in the desired position as by a thumb 8 screw 8. The section I, in one position, may rest directly against the base part I, and may be elevated for substantially-the height of the inner section I, for reaching the upper outer surfaces of very high windows. l0

Blidably mounted on the upper or outer section I of the mast is a cleaning head comprising a block ll, preferably made as a metal casting, which block detachably supports a scrubbing and/or cleaning device, one form of which is shown at I2. This cleaning device may be in the form of a hollow body It, say of rubber, having mounted on its front face a suitable brush or sponge (a sponge-rubber pad being shown at ll). The cell structure of the sponge communicates with the 20 interior of the body so asto be supp i d with cleaning fluid. The body I! has suitable provision for detachably securing it to the block II, as for example on one of two pairs of guide ways I! .and lid. As shown the body I! also incorporates 2- a squeegee l6, which in another position of the body (as when it occupies the pair of guide ways lid in the block ll) is in proper positionto contact with the window surface in a manner to dry it. The hollow body ll serves as a reservoir 30 -for cleaning fluid, and has a suitable filler opening and stopper at Ila.

The cleaning head is arranged to be reciprocated substantially the entire effective length of the mast, or, in the extended position of the mast; the 'entire length of the extended section. As shown, the block has vertically spaced bearings engaging the non-circular tubing section I, these bearings having sufficient clearance to. prevent sticking of the block as it is moved up and down. 40 The non-circular section of the support prevents rotation of the block into such a podtion that the cleaning or drying implement is out of proper relation to the window surface. 7

I propose to reciprocate the cleaning head up 4 and down on its guide by suitable pull cords, the

end portions of which extend laterally from the base part 2, so that the user of the machine ma work the cleaning head up and down on the outside of the window by alternately pulling the cords from inside the window. In some instances one of these cords may be dispensed with and the weight of the head ll depended upon to return it to the'lowerpofltion after it has been raised. As shown, one of the pull cords 2' extends 5 the mast for storage of the machine. The inner into the embrace of a sheave II on the base part 2, thence along the base to a roller 22, located in the lower end of the mast section 0, thence upwardly and over a sheave a in a suitable guard bracket 14, surmounting the mast section I, and thence downwardly for attachment to the block M as at II. The same piece of cord may extend from the block ll downwardly to a guiding roller or sheave 26 thence below the base section 2 and around a sheave 21 and out at the side of the base.

The base section 2, comprises preferably a light metal casting (say aluminum), which may have downwardly extending stiffening flanges about its perimeter, the forward flange forming a limiting abutment for a one-way acting hinge III in conjunction with a similar flange 32, on the base part 3. This prevents the mast from swinging downwardly with reference to the base 2, in the horizontal position of the base, but permits the base section I to be swung up against the mast to decrease the size of the machine for storage .and handling when the machine is not in use.

In order to facilitate horizontal traverse of the window, so as to clean all parts of it, a set of rollers 35, is preferably mounted on the underside of the base section 2 (or the base section 3 if desired), the rollers being arranged to ride to and fro on the window ledge or window sill, whichever the rollers engage. Only one set of rollers is shown and the manner in which these ride on the window sill is shown in Fig. l. The rollers may be rubber, to avoid marring the window sill surface.

An important feature of the invention is the stirrup arrangement shown on Fig. 1, this being attached to the inner end of the base section I.

and having a loop 3! for receiving the foot of the user. The stirrup 31 is adjustable up and down, as by a conventional buckle 39, to permit lengthening and shortening of the stirrup in accordance with the height of the window ledge from the floor.

Another feature is the provision of arms at 40, for embracing the sides of the body of the user, so as to hold the base in its proper position, with respect to the window, leaving both hands free to work the pull cords for reciprocating the cleaning head. The arms have slots 40a embracing a cross bar ll beneath the base section 2, and are adjustable to outward and inward positions, as shown respectively in full and broken lines on Fig. 2. In their outward position, portions of the arms 40 pivot in suitable openings in the forward depending flange of the base section 2, the inner ends of the arms being forced outwardly by a suitable compression spring 42 on the bar ll which yieldingly maintains the outer end portions of the arms against the user's body, say against the upper leg portions or the hips.

Referring now to Fig. 4 this arrangement incorporates a modified mast including, as shown, spaced bars 50, which can be made of a single piece of light metal rod bent into substantially U shape, having a horizontal cross portion ii at the bottom. The base of the machine 52, may likewise be formed of a metal rod bent into the shape shown, and having I formations I! in its ends embracing the cross portion ii of the mast as a hinge, to permit folding of the base up against end of the base is bent as at 52a for lateral bracing against the user's body and the stirrup 81-" may be attached as shown.

The base I! carries a U shaped bracing bracket 55, pivotally secured to the base I! on ears II, the bracket having I formations II at its free endsadapted to detachably engage the ends 'of a cross bar I on the mast, to lock the mast in uprightposition. It will be seen that when the ends of the bracket I! are sprung out and detached from the bar 8, the entire base may be folded upwardly against the mast. As illustrated in' broken lines (Fig. 4) it will also be seen that the base it may be swung about its pivotal connection ll approximately 180 degrees, so that it lies on the opposite side of the mast from the position shown in Fig. 4. The base may be locked in such outwardly swung position by means of the bracket arms ll engaging the ends of the bar II. This merely requires swinging the arms it past the side members of the base. Thus, the machine may be used to support the mast in washing the inside surfaces 01' high windows With-- out having to reverse the position of the cleaning head on the mast. The necessity for a step ladder in order to reach high inside window surfaces may, thereby, be obviated.

Rollers are preferably provided as at 38c on the arms of the base 82 for engagement with the window ledge or sill.

For vertical adjustment of the mast the upper portion of this comprises a U shaped tube 0|, the arms of which telescopingly fit the bar ends and are adapted to be locked in position by.

suitable set screws ll This mast extension has a cross portion at the top carrying a sheave I2 and guard 83 for the operating cord or cable '6. At the bottom the extension is braced by a cross piece "a which serves as a handle in lifting and lowering the extension.

The cleaning head comprises a block Ila. having two pairs of spaced bearings slidable on the vertical arms of the adjustable part I 'of the mast. The block is reciprocated up and down by the cord which may be essentially as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. The cord extends under a sheave it on the cross bar I, thence upwardly through an opening 81 in the block I08, thence over the sheave H and thencedown to a suitable fastening at 68 on the block Ila. The weight ofthe cleaning head may be depended upon as the sole means to return the head towards the base of the window,

after being pulled up by the cord.

In lieu of a simple brush or sponge and cleaning squeegee on the block Ilia, an electric gotor ill may be mounted in the block having a driving head If thereon to which may be detachably secured a circular cleaning brush 1!, having a base II and bristles It. The electric conductor, comprising the usual flexible cable Ii, may be lead to the block by means of a sheave It on the cross bar Ii, the cord extending upwardly to the block Ila and being electrically connected to the motor. This electric conductor may, if desired, be embodied with suitab.e strengthening material so that it may be used as a pm! cord in returning the cleaning head to lower position after it is raised by the cord 85.

To supply the brush with water or other cleaning fluid, a tank ll is preferably mounted on top of the mast, as on a bracket 8| and suitable means provided to convey fluid therefrom into operative association with the brush. As shown. the tank has a valve '2 in a discharge pipe ll which valve is controlled by the user of the machine (from inside the window). This control may comprise a valve operating arm .4 and pull cord 85 passing under a sheave 80 adjacent the base and thence to the operator.

The fluid from the tank 80 may be discharged directly onto the window, above the brush, by a short flexible tube 81 projecting inwardly from the pipe 83, or the fluid may be lead directly to the brush by lengthening the flexible tube.

A feature of the invention, see Fig. 5, is the drying device 90 comprising, as shown, a pad formed of a suitable number of laminations of cloth, provided with a thin flexible waterproof inner cover 9i and an elastic band inserted in a gathered tunnel edge 92 of the pad. To mount the pad the elastic edge of the pad is spread over the base portion 13 of the brush for operation by the motor. The waterproof material prevents the drying material of the pad from absorbing any moisture which may remain on the brush. The pad obviously may be adapted for use on the non-rotary cleaner of the modification shown in Figs. 1 to 3 or on the brush shown in Fig. 6 which will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 6, a suitable block I forms the base for conventional parallel brush tufts IN. This block may be detachably mounted on the cleaning head in any suitable fashion; for example, as shown, in connection with Figs. 1 and 3, or otherwise (mounting not shown). Cleaning fluid from a tank such as 80 is conducted to a point centrally of the block I00 and into a liquid receiving space I02 formed by a recess on the top face of the block. An extension 81a of the flexible tube 81 may have its lower end fastened as at I03 to a cover plate I05 surmounting the block I00. Grooves I06 radiate from the space I02 to various positions along the top of the block which, in conjunction with the cover plate, form conveying ducts for the fluid. These grooves (preferably more numerous than as shown) communicate with the bristle body of the brush by intersecting bores I01, each having a horizontal portion leading to the face of the block from which the bristles project.

In order to lead the fluid from the bores I01 well into the bristle body, short sections of rubber hose I08 may be secured in place in each horizontal bore portion. The hose sections discharge the fluid onto the tufts and do not interfere with the flexibility of the latter.

The block I00 may,-'in keeping herewith, be provided with a wiper or squeegee at one edge and be adjustably secured to the head (say in the manner suggested by Figs. 1 and 3 in connection with the cleaner I2) so as to render the wiper and brush interchangeably active.

It is to be understood that the base portion of the machine as shown in Fig. 4 may incorporate all the features shown in Figs. 1 and 2, these features being omitted to avoid duplication. In other words the base may have additional guides for the pull cords. and may have more elaborate means to clasp the body of the user.

It will be seen that, with either general arrangement described, the user will have no difliculty in mounting the machine on the window and effectively cleaning the entire outside surface without having to lean out of the window. Thus this ordinarily unsafe operation is rendered entirely safe and easy.

I claim:

1. A window cleaning machine comprising mast adapted to be positioned substantially .vertically outside a window to be cleaned, a base for the mast extending inwardly substantially at right angles therefrom and adapted to rest on the window ledge or sill, means arranged to traverse the mast to perform a cleaning or drying operation on such window and spaced arm members on the base adapted to extend into contact with opposite sides of a portion of the body of the user, more effectively to control the position of the mast.

2. A window cleaning machine, comprising a mast adapted to extend outside a window to be cleaned, parallel therewith, and having a cleaning head vertically reciprocable thereon, a base for supporting the mast in said position, said base being adapted to rest on a window ledge or sill, means operable by a person adjacent the base for reciprocating said cleaning head on the mast, and extensible and retractable arm members on the base adapted to clasp a portion of the body of the user, to assist in guiding the mast.

3. In a window cleaning machine having a mast with a cleaning device reciprocable thereon, and a base for holding the mast in upright position outside the window, said base comprising a pair of spaced parallel arms, pivotally connected to the mast, said arms each having a roller axially supported thereon, for engagement with a window ledge or sill as a fulcrum for the machine.

4. In a window cleaning machine of the class described, a mast having a cleaning head vertically reciprocable thereon, means to reciprocate the head, a supporting base pivotally attached to the mast at its lower end, said base being swingable to positions on opposite sides of the mast, and means interconnectingthe base and mast for holding the base substantially at right angles to the mast in either swung position, whereby inside and outside window surface cleaning may be effected from inside the window without having to reverse the position of the cleaning head on the mast.

5. A window cleaning machine of the class described, comprising a base frame constructed of metal and having a pair of spaced arms, a mast formed of a pair of spaced upright metal arms and having a cross portion at the bottom hinged to the extremities of the base arms, a cleaning device adapted to vertically traverse the mast, and a bracket pivotally secured to one pair of arms and adapted to be sprung into locking relationship with projections on the other pair of arms to hold the base and mast in rigid angular relationship, while permitting the .base to be folded against the mast.

FERDINAND W. BINGELL. 

